USMS Holds Roundtable to Talk Cooperation, Improving Officer Wellbeing
Partnerships, officer wellbeing, and cooperation were among the topics discussed as the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) held its annual Law Enforcement Association Roundtable on December 18, 2024.
The roundtable brought together leaders from a wide range of organizations in law enforcement and public safety, including employee groups.
A key focus was on collaboration and partnerships between federal law enforcement and state and local partners, especially as organizations deal with limited resources in their fight against violent crime.
USMS has over 16,000 partnerships with state, local, and tribal agencies.
“We’re stronger when we collaborate,” said USMS Director Ronald L. Davis in remarks to attendees.
“The partnerships we’ve built with the USMS are invaluable,” said attendee Gina Hawkins, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) President. “It’s these connections that help us protect our communities more effectively.”
Improving Well Being
There’s no doubt that being a law enforcement officer is a tough job, and the attendees took time to note programs designed to improve officer health and wellness.
Director Davis noted that the USMS’ Center of Excellence within the Center for Officer Safety and Wellness is a critical resource to help officers cope with mental health and well-being challenges. The Director called on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)to expand access to these programs for local and tribal officers.
“We must ensure our people have the resources to address the cumulative stress of their work, not just after a crisis, but throughout their careers,” said Director Davis.
Participants also voice approval of USMS’ peer support programs, such as the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), which provides follow-up care to officers and their families after traumatic events. “This kind of care shows officers that we don’t just care in the moment, we’re here for the long haul,” one attendee noted.
Transition Upcoming
The roundtable comes as USMS plans for a leadership transition with the upcoming change of administration.
“The handoff must be seamless. Each generation must run faster and harder to move the mission forward,” said Director Davis, who also noted that it’s important to “brand” the law enforcement profession better.
“We must do a better job of showing the consistent dedication and service that law enforcement professionals provide every single day,” said Director Davis.